System and method for application dependent universal remote control

Abstract

A remote control device includes one or more mode buttons which, when manipulated, cause plural controlled devices to assume preset configurations.

1 . A system, comprising:
 at least one TV;   at least one remote control configured for communicating with the TV;   at least one component configured for communicating with the TV to cause the TV to display at least video information from the component and/or to cause the component to display at least audio information from the TV;   at least one mode element on the remote control, the remote control sending at least one command to the TV and at least one command to the component in response to a single manipulation of the mode element, wherein the commands are established at least in part by an end user.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the commands are established at least in part based on information from the TV. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the information from the TV that is used to establish the commands is received by the TV over the Internet from a server and/or a server database. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the commands are established at least in part by identifying at least the component using NFC between the remote control and the component. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the component is a disk player and manipulation of the mode element causes the remote control to send an “energize” signal to the TV and the disk player and to automatically command the TV to switch input to the component. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein manipulation of the mode element further causes the remote control to command a sound system to automatically switch input to the disk player and to respond to volume up/down commands from the remote control. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein manipulation of the mode element further causes the remote control to send an audio mute command to the TV and to cause at least one TV function to be disabled. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the TV displays information relating to the commands, and a user can manipulate the remote control to establish the commands. 
   
   
       9 . A method for facilitating simultaneous control at least of a TV and a disk player, comprising:
 enabling a user to establish at least portions of a use case by means of a TV and a remote control; and   invoking the use case using a single manipulation of the remote control, the use case including causing at least first and second components in a home entertainment system to respectively execute at least first and second acts.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the acts are established at least in part by an end user. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the acts are established at least in part based on information from the TV. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the information from the TV that is used to establish the acts is received by the TV over the Internet from a server. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the acts are established at least in part by identifying at least the component using NFC between the remote control and the first component. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first component is a disk player and manipulation of a mode element on the remote control causes the remote control to send an “energize” signal to the TV and the disk player and to automatically command the TV to switch input to the component. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein manipulation of the mode element further causes the remote control to command a sound system to automatically switch input to the disk player and to respond to volume up/down commands from the remote control. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein manipulation of the mode element further causes the remote control to send an audio mute command to the TV and to cause at least one TV function to be disabled. 
   
   
       17 . A remote control, comprising:
 a portable hand held housing;   wireless transmission means supported by the housing for communicating commands to home entertainment system components; and   at least one mode element on the housing and manipulable once to cause the transmission means to send at least respective first and second commands to first and second components.   
   
   
       18 . The remote control of  claim 17 , wherein the commands are established at least in part by an end user. 
   
   
       19 . The remote control of  claim 17 , wherein the commands are established at least in part based on information from the TV. 
   
   
       20 . The remote control of  claim 19 , wherein the information from the TV that is used to establish the commands is received by the TV over the Internet from a server.